BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 18TH 2006 (<a href="http://www.cuopm.com/newsitem.asp?articlenumber=944">CUOPM</a>) â€“ Another first for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Royal Beach Casino at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort is to stage the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship Caribbean & Latin America District Season Opening Local Qualifier.

This is the first time that St. Kitts has been represented in the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship, which is aired internationally on ESPN.

The Local Qualifier is open to the public, and a portion of the $10 Registration Fee will be donated to a local charity.

The longest hitter will represent St. Kitts in the Caribbean & Latin America District Championship, from October 6th to 8th in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The winner gets a round-trip airfare, lodging at the brand-new Paradisus Palma Real, all food and beverages, and bragging rights, all courtesy of The Royal Beach Casino.

The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship is the most thrilling sport in todayâ€™s Country Clubs. Known as the â€śX-Gameâ€ť of golf, all over the world men, women, juniors and seniors are bringing their strength, energy, accuracy, intensity and thrill-for-power to their home Country Club.

This season more than 30,000 country club members will go head to head for a chance to advance to the next level, with a $500,000 purse awaiting at the World Finals.

â€śWe have had our eyes on St. Kitts to include on our schedule for several years,â€ť explained Ronald Swanson-Cerna, Managing Partner for SPORT Marketing & Special Events.

â€śThere was no question that the caliber of golfer in St. Kitts warrants their own Local Qualifier; we just wanted to select a high-end tournament for a partner. We could not be more thrilled about our partnership with The Royal Beach Casino and their Caribbean Sports Celebrity Legends Tour tournament. In fact, St. Kitts is to be our first Local Qualifier this season.â€ť

There are twenty-four countries with Local Qualifiers in the Caribbean & Latin America District, which stretches from Mexico to Argentina to Bermuda. At each Local Qualifier competitors have three minutes to launch six balls. The longest hit to remain â€śin-boundsâ€ť (the grid is approximately 40 yards wide) is officially recorded for the competitor.

Competitors may re-register for another six balls if unhappy with their performance. The longest hitter at the end of the tournament advances to the District Championship.

â€śOn top of being a great sporting event, this is a lot of fun,â€ť said Director of Golf at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, Greg Downer.

â€śEveryone always enjoys hitting it long. That feeling of strength, rush of adrenaline, intensity and energy. Youth, Seniors, Women- itâ€™s always exciting for all.â€ť Mr. Downer has some experience here, as he is two-time champion of the Cayman Island Long Drive Local Qualifier.

All in St. Kitts are encouraged to come out and participate, or just witness the fun. Advance reservations or Tee Times for Long Drive are not required.